Enemy Lines

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Rockets

"They'll be better than last season but not a lot....

Losing Hakeem Olajuwon is obviously big, but he had slowed down, wouldn't go out and play people on the perimeter at all. If they can get anything from Kelvin Cato at center, they'll be better defensively. Long-range, though, Cato's not the answer. Jason Collier is not the answer even short-range....

Eddie Griffin was lazy in high school and lazy at Seton Hall, so I see no reason he won't still be lazy. He has talent, but Walt Williams will outwork him, and as much as Houston seems to be counting on Griffin, Williams could end up getting more minutes....

Terence Morris can do a bit of everything, but he's not a real difference-maker. Still, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley will keep the Rockets in most games. They're among the best one-two duos in the league. Either one can handle, shoot on the run, break people down, make standstill shots and defend. Anything else you can ask of a guard? Both guys, along with Glen Rice, are willing and able to take big shots. Rice won't win you a championship, but he's got some gas left in the tank, and he'll be good with this back-court, where he'll be able to roam and find his spot....

Kenny Thomas is an underrated player—a four with the quick feet of a three. He gets the job done with know-how....

If the Warriors hadn't matched Houston's offer for Marc Jackson and the Rockets could have brought him off the bench, they'd have a nice rotation, but it's going to be tough for them to get much better in the West."